Supreme Spiritual Council Statement, Call to the Authorities of Armenia

The Supreme Spiritual Council issued a statement during the session held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin from November 1-4 under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The discussions addressed the severe situation surrounding the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh.

As a result of the discussions, the Supreme Spiritual Council made a statement.

Statement
We express our deep concern regarding the ongoing aggression of Azerbaijan towards Armenia and Artsakh, especially in light of the serious challenges posed to the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh following the 44-day war of 2020 and the military actions unleashed on September 13, 2022. We are greatly troubled by the distortion of spiritual and moral values in the lives of our people, the crisis of identity, societal polarization, the intensification of feelings of uncertainty and anxiety about the future, and the increasing disposition towards emigration, all of which complicate the ability to overcome the existing existential challenges.

Our prayers are for God, and we offer encouragement to the brave soldiers of the Armenian army and the heroic people of the border communities, who, with exceptional devotion and self-sacrifice, defy enemy encroachments and attacks. We extend our full support to our people in Artsakh in their right to self-determination, as recently expressed in the statement made by the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, reaffirming that the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination is non-negotiable.

We commend the efforts of the international community and friendly nations aimed at establishing stability and peace in the region and peacefully resolving the existing conflict through negotiations. Within the framework of the peace process, the immediate release of prisoners of war and detained civilians, as well as the return of the remains of the fallen, should be prioritized.

We express our gratitude for the mission of the peacekeeping forces in Artsakh, which ensures the safety of our people.

We call upon the authorities of the Republic of Armenia to make every effort to eliminate divisive lines in our national life, to cease discriminatory approaches based on political beliefs, to overcome the atmosphere of hatred and enmity, and to initiate meaningful healthy dialogue involving all national circles, so that national unity can be secured in ensuring the safety of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, restoring territorial integrity, preventing any potential new painful losses, and consistently defending the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination in international forums.

Overcoming these challenges is vital and existential and requires total sacrifice from the authorities, the Church, national structures, and our entire population. The homeland is the guarantee of the nation's continuity, therefore all sectional aspirations and interests must be excluded to bring the country out of an extremely crisis-laden situation.

We urge all Armenians living in the homeland and across the diaspora to unite in defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia and the right to self-determination of Artsakh.

Throughout history, we have faced the most difficult situations, but by the grace of God, our people, at the cost of numerous sacrifices, have been able to overcome every hardship with their national high consciousness, unwavering faith, unity, and diligence, and to build their new life. By God's mercy, our people must also overcome this trial with dignity.

We pray for those who have fallen, been wounded, taken captive, and gone missing as a result of the war, and for the forcibly displaced families, asking for the support and comfort of the Most Merciful Lord for all the grieving and anxious souls and our entire people. May the Most Merciful God grant peace to the world and keep nations and peoples in harmony, pouring His love and grace of peace into the hearts and souls of humanity.